Golf-ball washer



W. F. REACH GOLF BALL WASHER Filed Jan. 16,

May 13, 1930.

y 1% @UWM `ATTORNEYS I Patented May 13, 1930 l drawing,

-cess of the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLI-AI F.

@c BROS., 0F NEW YORK,

REACH, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO A.. G. SPAIiDING N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY croira-BALI.l WASHER.

Application led January 16,

The present invention relates toimprovement in goli` ball washing devices and aims to provide an exceedingly simple, economical and durable form of apparatus which will be readily portable, and which can be easily operated to eiectively cleanse soiled balls.

The invention includes the novel device hereinafter described, the nature and scope of the invention being pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation ot the device.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the container and brush, and

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the lower portion o the ball actuator.

Reerrin by reference characters to this t e numeral 1 designates a cylindrical receptacle preferably of sheet metal of non-corrosive nature such as galvanized iron or sheet metal having afi-ust resisting coating, said receptacle having a closed bottom and open top and being adapted to receive and retain water tor washing purposes.

Within this container I place a cylindrical brush which I prefer to make in the form of a rubber tube or sleeve 2 having its inner surface provided with rubber bristles or Hexible projections 2'lL which extend radially inward for a suitable distance, the interior diameter of the tube being sli htly in exdiameter of a golf all andthe distance between the ends o fingers on opposite sides of the tube being less than said diameter whereby they will be deflected by a ball when forced into the tube and exert a rubbing action thereon. I

This tube is formed of such a 'size that it maybe readily slipped into the container and it will be held therein by rictional engagement of the rubber with the container wall, no holding means being required.

For inserting the ball into the container and reciprocating `it therein in contact with the bristles or rubber fingers, I provide an operating rod 3 having a suitable handle 3n at its upper end, and a pair of spaced ball 1929. Serial No. 332,851.

engaging rings 3b and 3 at its lower end. In operating the device, the ball is seated on the lower ring which is inserted within the rubber tube and as the rings are forced downward therein, the upper ring carries the ball down and subjects it to the rubbing action of the fingers which, due to the water within the tube, effectually eleanses the surtace with which the fingers contact.

It is necessary that the ball be rotated as it is moved up and down within the tube in order to bring all parts of its surface into contact with the fingers or projections, and

to accomplish this in a simple and economical` The result of this is that at each reciproeating movement of the handle the ball will be given a partial Vrotation without having been removed from the tubular cleaner, and the reciprocation can be continued until the ball is thoroughly cleaned.

. I prefer to make the rod and rings of a single piece of wire having a portion deflected laterally as indicated at 3d, below which the wire is bent laterally to form the upper ring 3b from which it extends downwardly and is again bent laterally to form the lower ring 3". 4 designates a cover having a central opening through which the operating rod passes for preventing splashing out of the water. The cover being held down by one hand, also serves as a stop to limit the upward movement of the ball carrying part.

By carrying the cover on the rod between the handle and ball rings, accidental loss of the cover is prevented.

The tube may be formed by providing a rectangular rubber mat of proper dimensions having projections on one face and bending this in to tube form with the edges abutting and slipping it into the container or receptacle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim 1s:

1. A device for cleaning golf balls com prising a receptacle, cylindrically arranged brushing means therein, and means for reciproca-ting a ball therein comprising a rod iaving a pair of rings adjacent its lower end,

said rings being spaced apart and inclined in opposite directions relative to a plane norf's mal to said rod.

2. A ball washing device comprising a container, a cylindrical tube of rubber therein having inwardly extending resilient projections, and means for reciprocating `.a ball within said tube.

3. A rubbing element for ball washing devices comprising a cylindrical rubber tube having integral flexible rubber projections distributed over the inner surface thereof.

4. A device for cleaning golf balls comprising cylindrical brushing means, and means for reciprocating the ball vvithin said end, said rings having an internal diameter less than the diameter of the ball and being spaced apart a distance exceeding the diameter of the ball.

5. A device for cleaning golf balls comprising cylindrical brush means, and means ter less than the diameter of the ball.

device for cleaning golf balls comprising cylindrical brush means, and means for reciprocating a ball therein comprising a rod having an offset lower portion, and a pair of spaced apart rings carried by said rings being inclined in opposite directions relative to a plane normal to the said rod. In testimony whereof, I ailiX my signature.

` WILLIAM F. REACH. 

